Worship is at the heart of life at Westminster and praying, engaging creatively with scripture, wide-ranging conversations about faith and spirituality, and respectful space for reflection, are all part of the ethos of the environment.
For students, sabbaticals, visiting scholars and teaching staff there is a varied pattern of services to mark the academic year. These include a service of Holy Communion at the beginning and end of each term and worship that recognises the Christian festivals, such as Advent and Passiontide. Being part of the Cambridge Theological Federation there are a variety of ecumenical services and some interfaith acts of worship to attend. These include worship for Holocaust Memorial day, a breakfast Eucharist for Ash Wednesday and an outdoor celebration for Ascension Day. For many of the Westminster community, sung services at Kings College or St John’s College are a part of their spiritual journey. Many classes begin with a prayer and all of our learning is offered to God. Work and worship, as is typical of the Reformed way, are one.
For conferences, committees and groups meeting at Westminster specially devised worship may be held in the Chapel, or in spaces such as adapted meeting rooms. The college labyrinth and landscaped grounds provide additional space for individual or corporate prayer, and the close proximity to the river Cam and college “backs” ensure there are other beautiful locations for prayer and retreat too which are beyond the college boundaries.
For those looking for a break from the pressures of life or who are searching for inspiration and creative connections with spirituality, there is space for rest and relaxation. Organised day events such as Westminster Quiet Days and the opportunity for spiritual direction or guided Bible reading are increasingly being made available.